Channel structure foe tonneatt panels



Jan. 30, 1923.

J. LEDWINKA.

CHANNEL STRUCTURE FUR IONNEAU PANELS.

FILED FEB-21,1919,

Patented Jan. 30, 1923 UNITED STATES 1, 4 ,4 PATENT OFFICE.

JOSEPH OF PHILADQLPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOB TO EDWARD G.

RUDD MANUFLCTUBING G0 IPANY, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA, A COR- PORATION OF PEKN SYLVANIA.

CHANNEL STRUCTURE FOR TONNEAU PANELS;

Application filed ljebruary 27, 1919. Serial No. 279,592.

To all whom it ma'y concern:

Be it known that I Josnrn lgyvgueg a citizen of the United tates resi' p at Ph ladelphia, in the county of Phi adelphra, State of Pennsylvania, have made a certain new and usefulinvention in Channel Struo tures for Tonneau Panels (Case E), of which thefollowing is a specification.

This invention relates to channel structures for tonneau panels, and particularly to the structure for channels employed at the upper edge of a tonneau or seat back panel for automobiles.

The object'of the invention is to provide a channel structure for the upper edge of a tonneau or seat back panel which is strong and durable, neat and; sightly and affords a distinctive finish for such upper edge, and at the same time forming a convenient means forthe application and attachment of the upholstery to the panel. i

Further objects of the invention Wlll appear more fully hereinafter.

The invention consists substantially in the construction, combination, location, and relative arran ementmf parts, all as will be more fully lier inaftenset forth, as shown in the'accompanyingidra w'ing, and finally pointed out in the appended claims Fig; 1 is a view. in side elevation of an automobiletonneauor seat back panel haying'gga charinel structure applied thereto in accordance wi h my iDVBntlQB.

Fig. Zjis a/ roken view in vertical section line ig. I 5

Fig 3 is a view sf ilfir toFig. 2 slipiv ng a modified structure embodying mydnvention. a y.

In the drawing reference numeral 5 designates a tonneau orseat back,-panel-'for automobiles. This paneLmaydfeof any suitable material and may be bentor'stampedto any desired shape, style oibutline. A sheet steel panel well serves the purpose. At its uper edge the panel 5 is oflset outwardly as indicated at 6 although in this respect my invention is not to be limited or restricted. Applied to the edge of the panel is a channel member 7. In the form shown in Fig. 2 this channel member is in the form of a stamping of substantially U-shape in cross section and inverted and one edge of said hannel member and the upper edge of the panel are throu h the/upper edge oi the panel on the and upwardly as at 11, the portion 11 extending into the fold formed by the folded over portion 9 of the upper ed e of the panel. The several iolds or "thic nesses of interlocking portions are then suitably secured together by welding or otherwise,

thereby forming an efiicient look joint and an exceedingly sim lo and effective channel structure, the inter ocking ofthe'parts being accomplished i-n -substaht ially the plane of the side ofuthe panel.

In the construction sliown in Fig. 3 thc interlocking connection between the memher 13 and the panel is disposed inthc 4 crown of the channel instead (if in the plane of the side of thePanl. -.-For this purpose the upper edgefif the panel, or of the aflset portion 6 thereof; where finch an oil'set is"i ormed,' isbent inwardly 'l'fierally as inl dicnted at '12 to form a portioii of the ohannel, and instead of the additional member 13 which completes the channel formation; being of substantially U-shape in cross section its extreme edge is rolled over upon itself as indicated at 1.4 for ornamentaland strengthening p urposes while its outer edge is folded to form the interlocking connect-ion above described with reference to Fig. 2, with the extreme edge of the panel.

The channel formed the member 7. Fig. 2 or conjointly by the up er bent over edge of the body panel and It eadditional member 13 Fig. 3, affords iii' iigiis for at taching the upholstery-to theipa'tiel.

Ha ing now set forth. 1859b: ct and malure of my invention, and-iacqnstruction embodying the principles tl'i ere ef, what I claim as new and useful and desire to'se cure by Letters Patent is:

1. The combination with a sheet metal panel bent or stamped into the shape and curvature to form the back and sides of a tonneau or seat, of a member curved longi' tudinally to conform to the curvature and applied to the upper edge of said paneL and forming therewith a channel for'attachin the upholstery, the adjacent edges of sai panel and member being folded upon each other and interlocked together.

2. 'The combination with a sheet metal panel bent or stamped into the shape and curvature to form the back and sides of a tonneau orseat, and having an oll'set por tion formed therein adjacent its upper edge, of a member curved longitudinally to con form to the curvature of, and applied to the upper edge of said panel above said offset portion, and forming therewith a channel for attaching the upholstery, the adjacent ed res of said member and panel being foldet over and upon each other and interlocked to ether.

3. The nomination with a sheet metal panel bent or stamped into the shape and contour to form the back and sides of a tonneau or sent, and baring the up )er edge thereof bent or folded upon itself, of a member curred longitudinally to conform to the curvature of the mud. and having one edge thereof bent or iolded upon itself and interlocking with and secured to the folded over flan e portion ofthe panel, said panel edge and member forming a channel for attaching the upholstery.

4. The combination with a sheet metal panel bent or stamped into shape to form a tonneau or seat, and having the upper edge thereof bent or folded upon itself, of a member cooperating with the edge of the panel t form a channel and havin one edgethereof bent or folded upon itself and interlocking with and secured to the folded over flange portion of the panel, and the other edge of said member being rolled into a bead.

In an automobile body, the combination with a sheet metal panel shaped to form the sides and back of a seat, of an upholstery receiving and retaining member curved longitudinally to conform to the curvature of the upper edge of said panel: the adjacent portions of said panel and member being folded upon each other to form a loclcjoint and rigidly secured'tO- gether and said member extending' laterally from the upper edge of said panel forming an inverted upholstery retaining channel at the upper edge thereof.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set mv hand on this 24th day of February AT D. 1919.

JOSEPH LEDWINKA. 

